Secretary Jewell to Address Interagency Group on Insular Areas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, February 24, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and White House Intergovernmental Affairs Director Jerry Abramson will co-host the 2015 Senior Plenary Session of the Interagency Group on Insular Areas (IGIA) to discuss issues of critical importance to leaders of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  The event will be livestreamed at www.doi.gov/live.

Secretary Jewell and Director Abramson will give opening remarks at 8:30 am EST.  Assistant Secretary Kia’aina, partnering with various federal and territorial officials, will lead panel discussions on climate change, workforce development, tourism and financial assistance under the Compacts of Free Association.

This is the sixth meeting of the IGIA since President Obama reestablished the group in 2010under Executive Order 13537, to address policies for the U.S. territories. Among its duties, the IGIA solicits information from the island governors and other elected officials, develops recommendations to address issues of concern, and advises the President on establishing, modifying and implementing federal policies that advance the social, economic and political development of the islands. The IGIA is co-chaired by the Secretary of the Interior and the White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs. 

WHO:
Sally Jewell
Secretary of the Interior
Esther Kia’aina,
Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Insular Areas
Jerry Abramson,
White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs

WHAT:
2015 Senior Plenary Session of the Interagency Group on Insular Areas

WHEN:
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
8:30 am – 12:30 pm EST

WHERE: 
South Interior Building Auditorium
1951 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20240

MEDIA: 
The event will be live streamed and can be viewed at www.doi.gov/live.   
Media representatives wishing to observe are encouraged to RSVP by 6:00 pm EST on Monday, February 23.

The Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas carries out the administrative responsibilities of the Secretary of the Interior in coordinating federal policy for the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and also administers and oversees U.S. federal assistance to the Freely Associated States of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau under the Compacts of Free Association. The Assistant Secretary executes these responsibilities through the Office of Insular Affairs.

###